History of Lafayette county, Wisconsin, Part 97

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. cn; Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical
Number of Pages: 754

USA > Wisconsin > Lafayette County > History of Lafayette county, Wisconsin > Part 97

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The population to-day is estimated at less than one hundred, to whom this pleasant hamlet, shut in by hills and forests, contains as much that is sacred and attractive as do more pretentious towns and cities. The improvements consist of a brick hotel, two stores and probably twenty- five houses devoted to residence purposes. But the limited numbers, who live, trade and are edu- cated and prepared for the active duties of life within its corporate limits, unite in contending that, though humble, there is no place like home.

THE SCHOOL.

The first school erected in the village limits was completed during the latter portion of 1847, and occupied the following summer. It occupied a site nearly opposite the present Methodist Church, was of stone and cost $250.

It might here be observed that the first school in the township was taught by James Trevoy in the cellar kitchen of Peter Parkison, Sr.'s residence. This was in the winter of 1837, and his pupils consisted of Nathan and Joseph Van Matre, Todd Gibler, Peter Etheridge, the Jour- ney girls, Mary, who subsequently became a Mormon, and some few others. Among other accom- plishments introduced by Mr. Trevoy, was " oratory." He organized a debating club during his administration, which was maintained until the breaking-out of the war, and was the means of developing a number of good speakers.

The school begun in the village was taught by Hopey Foster, first in C. Parkison's private house, until the building was erected, and attended at its first term by John B. and Margaret Parkison, Angeline, Jane and Elizabeth Journey, Joseph and Nathan Van Matre and some others whose names are not remembered. The course of instruction was simple, embracing reading, writing and arithmetic, with such other advanced branches as the pupils elected to pursue. This schoolhouse was occupied with varying regularity and varying attendance, averaging from ten to thirty pupils, until about 1857, when its worn and aged superstructure was razed, the foundation being appropriated to similar uses for the Methodist Church. When the same was laid and the apart-

638

HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.

ment therein inclosed sufficiently protected, school was again opened, and the cause of education advocated within the sacred precincts of this religious underpinning for ten years and upward. Along in 1873 or 1874, the present stone schoolhouse opposite the residence of Peter Parkison, Jr., was contracted for and built. It is, as stated, of stone, commodious and handsomely finished, and was built with the intention of adopting the graded system. At first two teachers were employed, but in 1876, the number of scholars diminished, and but one teacher was regarded necessary, since which date the force has remained the same.

At present the school enjoys an average daily attendance of forty pupils. The support of the school requires an annual expenditure of $300, and its management is delegated to a board, as at present constituted, consisting of John Roberts, Mathew Wilkins and Charles Abrahams.

THE FAYETTE METHODIST CHURCH.

The only congregation established in the village is quite large, and said to be in independ- ent circumstances. The nucleus of the present congregation was organized as early as 1840, when John Journey officiated as Leader of a small class of Wesleyans, composed of C. E. Par- kison and wife, William Parkison and wife, Mrs. Peter Parkison, Sr., Edward Journey and wife, Levi Reed and wife and Amos Hunnel and wife. The services were conducted in private houses until 1847, when the stone schoolhouse first erected within the village precincts was obtained, and used until the society was enabled to build a house of worship. About 1857, this desideratum was attained, and the frame church then erected which now does duty as a town-house. This was occupied jointly by the schoolhouse, and continued in active service as a church and schoolroom until 1873, when the present frame edifice was completed and dedi- cated. It is of frame, 60x36 feet, cost, furnished, a total of $4,047.43, and will comfortably accommodate a congregation of 400.

TOWN OF BLANCHARD.

Blanchard was first brought under town government as a part of Argyle. It is located in the extreme northeastern corner of the county, and is bounded on the north by Iowa County, on the east by Green County, on the south by the town of Argyle, and on the west by the town of Fayette. The town was named in honor of its leading citizen and the founder of the village, Alvin Blanchard. It comprises eighteen sections of Township 4 north, Range 5 east, of the Fourth Principal Meridian. The general surface of this town is very uneven, high bluffs and swampy bottoms, especially along the river. The town is well adapted to its leading resource, stock-raising, though there are many well-cultivated and nicely improved farms within its lim- its. It is well watered by the Yellowstone River and Dodge's Branch of the Pecatonica, also by many natural springs. The hills and meadows are of a sandy loam, while the farming or grain-raising district is of clay. The town is well wooded by the different kinds of oak, quak- ing ash, hickory, walnut, elm and maple.

The electors of the town of Blanchard met at the schoolhouse in the village of Blanchard- ville on the 6th day of April, 1869, as directed by order of the County Board, and organized the first annual town meeting by electing Josiah G. Baker, Chairman, John Robinson and Dud- ley Risley, Inspectors ; John G. Baker and D. B. Rockwell, Clerks. After taking the oath of office as by law prescribed, the meeting was declared duly opened. The total number of votes cast was 69. At this meeting, it was voted that $75 be raised to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.

On Sections 27 and 30 of Blanchard are located the Fretwell Diggings, which were operated successfully up to a few years ago. After the discovery of these diggings by Fretwell, in 1838, miners flocked here from all parts of the county, the majority of whom were transient settlers, though a few remained and cultivated farms, at the same time carrying on their mining operations. During the summer season, the early settlers pursued farming, while through the winter they followed mining, with varying success.

639

HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.

Among the first permanent settlers in the town, John C. Telly, Lucius Belden, Orsemus Lakin and John Uren figured prominently. Mr. Telly came here in 1840, and first settled on a farm near the town line in Argyle, but, in the fall of this year, he erected a log cabin in the present limits of Blanchard, where he resided several years. He then located on Section 27, where he built a comfortable log house and cultivated a farm of forty acres. Mr. Belden also located a farm on Section 27, in 1840, and worked twenty-five acres of what is now known as the John G. Baker farm. John Bowser came here in 1841, and settled on Section 35, where he broke and cultivated a small farm. In 1845, James Smith and Gottfried Hoeffer settled in Blanchard, the former on Section 36, on the farm now owned by V. Brunner ; the latter located on Section 26, on the farm now owned by R. Graham, Sr. In November of 1851, H. Mills located on Section 25, on the farm now owned by Fred Knorr. Mr. Mills came here from Santa Fe, N. Mex., having served the previous five years in the Mexican army. On Section 25, he cultivated a small farm during the summer season, and has since followed mining more or less during the winter. Tom Ryan settled on Section 30 in the fall of 1850, where he built a small log cabin and worked a piece of land for a farm. The year 1851 brought B. Smith, who settled on Section 36. Following him, in the spring of 1852, came James Ingersoll and George Russell, who located farms on Sections 21 and 35 respectively. In 1853, came J. and Ed Robinson, who settled on Section 35, and Mr. Wyman, who located on Section 34. They were soon followed by J. Cavanaugh, James Etheridge, Mr. Dobson, Dudley Risley, C. Knorr, Josiah and John G. Baker, J. Johnson, Alvin Blanchard and others.

Up to the years 1858 and 1860, considerable mining was done in Blanchard, but, since the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, the mines have been practically abandoned.

On the John G. Baker property, on Section 23, in 1850, was established a Mormon col- ony, the height of whose ambition was to convert the settlers and make Blanchard a Mormon town. Here they erected a small log house, which they utilized for their numerous and long-pro- tracted meetings, as well as for school purposes. It is said there were some converts, though the anticipations of their sanguine leaders were blighted by the resistance of the pioneers, and consequently they retraced their steps, one by one, back to their former abode, Nauvoo, Ill. The school and church of the Mormons were the first erected in the town.

The first preacher of another denomination was Rev. Mr. Durston, who, for many years, held religious services at the residences of the different settlers.

In the early days of this town, the few children were mostly taught at home, though the Mormons had about fifteen or twenty scholars attending their school. In 1869, at the organi- zation of the town, there were 212 children of school age in the limits-109 males, 103 females. The total amount received during this year for school purposes was $873.08. There was paid out for same, $812.75. There are now in the town four schoolhouses, requiring the services of four teachers for the 214 children of school age-106 males and 98 females. The total value of school property in Blanchard is $2,140. During the year 1880, there was received for school purposes, $2,097.75, and paid out, $1,132.71, of which amount $505.60 was paid for teach- ers' wages.

In 1845, Mr. Horner built a grist-mill, run by water-power, with two run of stones, on the site of the village. After continuing a successful business five years, he sold out, in 1850, to S. Newkirk, who subsequently disposed of the property to Thomas & Slater. Mr. Thomas was bought out by Mr. Robinson, who afterward sold to Alvin Blanchard. Slater disposed of his interest to H. Mill. Blanchard & Mill continued the business together until 1859, when Mr. Mill disposed of his share to John A. Adams. Alvin Blanchard transferred his title in the mill, several years later, to John Sardeson, the present proprietor.

In 1870, a company of farmers organized for the purpose of establishing a cheese factory on the farm of Mahlon Smith, Section 36. This factory was continued eight years, and then abandoned.

In 1874, a similar venture was made in the village by Alvin Blanchard, and operated by him alone one year. He then took in Fred Knorr as a partner. This factory suspended oper- ations in 1876.

640

HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.

The assessed valuation of the town in 1869 was $83,862. Personal property, $25,179; real estate, $58,683. In 1880, it was $99,388. Personal property, $30,076; real estate, $69,312.

The following is a complete list of town officers from the organization of the town :

1869-Josiah G. Baker, Chairman; John Robinson, Michael Cavanaugh, Supervisors ; John G. Baker, Clerk ; William L. Risley, Treasurer ; Mahlon Smith, Assessor.

1870-A. Blanchard, Chairman ; John Robinson, Michael Cavanaugh, Supervisors ; J. G. Baker, Clerk ; William L. Risley, Treasurer ; Mahlon Smith, Assessor.

1871-A. Blanchard, Chairman ; John Robinson, James Ingwell, Supervisors ; J. G. Baker, Clerk ; William L. Risley, Treasurer ; Mahlon Smith, Assessor.

1872-Samuel H. Gurley, Chairman; Michael Cavanaugh, Abraham Johnson, Supervis- ors ; J. G. Baker, Clerk ; Henry Michaelson, Treasurer, Mahlon Smith, Assessor.

1873-Samuel H. Gurley, Chairman ; Michael Cavanaugh, John Robinson, Supervisors ; Henry Michaelson, Clerk ; James Mason, Treasurer ; Mahlon Smith, Assessor.

1874-A. Blanchard, Chairman ; Abraham Johnson, John J. Uren, Jr., Supervisors ; John G. Baker, Clerk ; James Mason, Treasurer ; Frederick Knorr, Assessor.

1875-A. Blanchard, Chairman ; Abraham Johnson, Patrick Ryan, Supervisors ; John G. Baker, Clerk ; James Mason, Treasurer; Dudley Risley, Assessor.

1876-Henry Michaelson, Chairman; James Ingwell, Patrick Ryan, Supervisors ; John G. Baker, Clerk ; James Mason, Treasurer ; Mahlon Smith, Assessor.

1877-A. Blanchard, Chairman ; Edward Robinson, Patrick Ryan, Supervisors ; James Ingwell, Clerk ; James Mason, Treasurer ; Mahlon Smith, Assessor.

1878-Henry Michaelson, Chairman ; Edward Robinson, Michael Cavanaugh, Supervis- ors ; John Adams, Clerk; James Mason, Treasurer ; Frederick Knorr, Assessor.

1879-M. P. Smith, Chairman ; Edward Robinson, James Ingwell, Supervisors ; John Harney, Clerk ; James Mason, Treasurer; Christopher Alfred, Assessor.

1880-Henry Michaelson, Chairman ;'James Ingwell, Michael Cavanaugh, Supervisors ; John Harney, Clerk ; James Mason, Treasurer; Christopher Alfred, Assessor.

·BLANCHARDVILLE,

a small, quiet, unpretentious village of about 300 inhabitants, located on both sides of the Pecatonica River, in Blanchard, the most northeasterly township of the county, was laid out about 1856, by A. Blanchard, an old citizen of that portion of the State, and responsible in a large measure for the growth and prosperity of the immediate vicinity.

When the high-handed proceedings of Mormons who had settled and built up the city of Nauvoo, aroused the wrath of citizens of Illinois, which culminated in the death of the Prophet, the followers of Joe Smith, as is well known to later generations, disappeared from the scene of the tragedy ; and, while many of them crossed the Mississippi and departed for their present refuge, a large number became distributed over Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and other States. Among these latter was a colony under the leadership of Zenas Gurley, who obtained title to land in the north west quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 4. in the present county of La Fayette, im- mediately contiguous to the present village of Blanchardville. Gurley constituted himself the vice- gerent of Joe Smith, and in that capacity essayed to guide his followers to the promised land of Mormon felicity and independence. Among those who accompanied Zenas in a fiduciary capacity, lieutenants as it were, were Henry Deam, John Cunningham, Messrs. Horner, Hammond and Bishop, aided by proselytes secured after establishing themselves at the base of a range of the Blue Mounds, prominent among whom was Samuel Clure, and a large following which accom- panied him from Nauvoo. These interrogative marks on the highway of civilization erected cabins, constructed a dam, mined, farmed and worshiped according to their creed, performing the latter office in a church which they built on the present farm of P. M. Baker, about a quarter of a mile north of Blanchardville. Though the number of Gentiles who had taken up claims in this

641

HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.

portion of Wisconsin at that early day was limited, they were sufficient in number to restrain the Latter-Day Saints from polygamous practices which were for the time ignored in public, if not denounced and reserved for future days.

It does not appear, however, that the exiled immigrants from the shrine of the Prophet met with an abundant success. Horner built a mill on the Pecatonica River, the site of which long since yielded precedence to the Sardison mills. Some mining and farming was engaged in, but the profits were unequal to the demand, and they gradually became stricken with a remedi- less poverty. Failing by reason of a combination of circumstances to secure a livelihood, and believing themselves the chosen of God, entitled to support by any available means, many levied on the flocks and herds of their Gentile neighbors, which measurably diminished under their successive poachings. This course of procedure excited the neighborhood to prevent its repetition, and rumor has it that the troubles culminated in bloodshed; but, be this as it may, the levies were checked, and the cattle of Gentiles no longer contributed to the support of the Mormons. Finally, a meeting of Gurley's disciples was held, at which it was decided to adopt the most pro- nounced communistic practices and to divide the property of the rich among those less fortunate. This proposed community of acquests and gains bore harshly upon the conclusions of all who possessed means, who one and all repudiated the arrangement and dissolved all connection with this reputed band of Gideon.

During his residence in the land of refuge, and while the refugees were miserably impov- erished, a vision came over the spirit of Gurley's dreams and pointed out to him, as he claimed, and undiscovered lead near Walwick, in which would be found inexhaustible supplies of min- eral. These could be reached with little labor, and would resolve the impecunious believers into wealthy squires. When this vision was promulgated with elaborate eloquence and finish, the rich men of the flock convened and advanced the money to enable the visionary to prosecute his discoveries. While this was in progress, so entirely convinced were the Mormons of the good day coming that arrangements were made for building a tabernacle, and land was set. apart for its occupation ; but after many days repeated failures of Gurley and his henchmen to realize, induced a feeling of disappointment on the part of those who had supplied the means, which begat a suspicion that his vision was a vain fantasy of the brain, and, closing up their purses, they left him to pursue his search for ore unaided. This put a stop to his efforts, the tabernacle was abandoned, its site disposed of to Josiah G. Baker, and the followers of Zenas became as a tale that is told. Some of them remained in the vicinity, others departed for more congenial fields, their leader returned to Illinois, where he died, and the building of Blanchardville followed in the wake of these events.

Along in 1855, A. Blanchard, who had been a resident of Wisconsin for many years and appreciated the value of the investment, purchased Horner's Mill and some property thereto belonging for about $1,500 and within a year from the date of his investment procured the sur- vey of Blanchardville. The same was laid off into six blocks, with an average of six lots each, and completed under the direction of a Mr. Foss, at that time County Surveyor. Two houses, one of log and the other of frame, were the only improvements then to be seen, and it was not until some months after that Mr. Blanchard completed the erection of the stone store adjoining the present Blanchard Hotel that the number was increased. He also re-built the Mormon Mill and added another run of buhrs to that with which it was originally supplied, besides adding a saw-mill to the premises. He filled his store with an extensive stock of goods, and, by catering to the patronage of the vicinity, built up an immense trade. As a result, a generous number of settlers established themselves in the new village, and, before the lapse of many years, the lots included in the survey first made were all disposed of, necessitating additions to the original town.

In 1857, Henry Mill erected what is now known as the Blanchardville Hotel, on the main street, opposite Mr. Blanchard's stone store, which still survives, and is managed by H. Lund. Maj. Godfrey built a home two doors south of the Blanchard House, and C. Holverson opened a blacksmith-shop on the bank of the Pecatonica-the first in the village. Dana Rockwell came

642

HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.

to the country about this time from Canandaigua, N. Y., and added to the appearance of the vil- lage by the erection of a residence next door to the hotel, as did C. F. Trivet by a similar improvement on the river bank. From this date on, the village increased in size ; stores and dwellings became more numerous, and of a character that challenged emulation. When the war broke out, Blanchardville had become a thriving center of trade, at which farmers met to dispose of their crops, miners to find a market for their mineral, and drovers and stock-dealers to sell and purchase their commodities. The war increased business while it continued, but, when peace was declared and swords were changed into pruning-hooks, it fell off and regained its original volume. The village contributed a number of soldiers to the cause, and the citizens aided liberally in furnishing the Government such substantial support as the exigencies of the times demanded.

In the spring of 1867, the village was overtaken by a flood, and, though no lives were lost, the damage to property, both public and private, was very large. The season is represented to have been unusually wet and rainy, which, coupled with the melting snows and ice, created a volume of water which rushed with irresistible force down through the banks of the Pecatonica, carrying destruction before it and filling the valley below the village with vast quantities of debris. The mill was torn from its foundations, the bridge communicating with the road to Argyle was car- ried from its supports, the residence of C. F. Trivet was taken with the waters, and many other acci- dents and incidents occurred that appalled the witnesses of destruction who watched from a dis- tance. There were many narrow escapes also. Mr. Trivet and his wife and family found themselves hemmed in within their home by the rising tide, and barely had time to flee from their domestic hearth before the premises were engulfed and swept away. A. Blanchard and Emil Gould were upon the bridge endeavoring to secure that structure from ruin, when it was carried off and they with it. After floating in the water for a painfully lengthy period, they reached a skiff, barely able to sustain their combined weight, and, after experiencing other hair- breadth escapes, reached terra firma in an exhausted condition. There were other effects of this sudden visitation, causing untold annoyance and entailing great damage, but the energy and industry of the inhabitants have combined to rebuild the losses sustained, and the marks of that calamitous experience of thirteen years ago are entirely dissipated.

To-day, Blanchardville is one of the pleasant, homelike and attractive villages for which Wisconsin, as a State, is so well known, containing six stores, three shoe-shops, three black- smith-shops, two hotels of unusually comfortable accommodations, one harness and wagon shop, one church, an excellent school, and a population of industrious, thriving people.

The village is also to be mentioned in connection with its stock trade, which is large and annually increasing. It is regarded as one of the best markets in the State, and is visited by purchasers and drovers from all parts of States adjoining, as also at a distance. When mining is carried on to any appreciable extent, immense quantities of lead and zinc ore find sale, but, as delivery for this commodity is limited by the market quotations, the trade in those articles is consequently irregular.

The first birth to occur in the present village, was that of William, a son to Mr. and Mrs. A. Blanchard. William made his appearance on the 12th of November, 1856, and grew to man's estate, passing through the various stages of infancy and youth in the town wherein he made his debut on the stage of active life.

In the following year, a child of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Holverson was burned so seri- ously by an accident, that he died from the injuries received, and is remembered as the first death. About the same time, Alexander Hanson and Miss Jeremiason were legally linked for life. This was the first marriage.

SCHOOLS.

The first school to be organized in Blanchardville, was convened in the fall of 1858, in a small frame building that is still standing, on the main street of the village. C. F. Trivet taught under the direction of a board composed of A. Blanchard and Henry Mill, the teacher also discharging the duties of Clerk.

643

HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.

The roster of pupils included Daniel, Clara and Kate Blanchard, Frederick Nora, John and Frank Palmer, Sanford Larsen, Kate and Mary Mills, Emil and Nathan Gould, Dennis, John and Kate Driscoll, Mary Ann, Maggie, Gerrit and Richard Graham, Joseph, William, Hugh and Michael Dearth, and some few others. The curriculum embraced the more simple branches, and the sessions were limited. In time, however, the school increased in numbers, and the cause of education became one of the more prominent in the town. The primitive building gradually refused accommodations for the annually increasing number of pupils, and, early in 1880, arrangements were concluded for the erection of an edifice that would meet the demands. This was completed and occupied during the fall of that year, and is still in the service. It is located on the road leading to Argyle, and an ornament, not only to the cause of its creation, but to the enterprise and taste of those who provided for its construction. It is of frame, 28x40, two stories high, cost $2,000, and furnished with every convenience. During 1880, the average attendance of pupils was thirty-five, and the course of instruction compre- hended the text-books usual to graded schools. It required $400 for the payment of current expenses, and its affairs were conducted by one teacher, supervised by a board consisting of K. T. Rostead, Ross Blake and William Risley.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Lafayette county, Wisconsin, Part 97

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. cn; Western Historical Co Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical Number of Pages: 754

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. cn; Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical
Number of Pages: 754